Winter 2011 - Issue 9

March 10-16 2011 vol 87 no 9

cwuobserver.com

by the students, for the students of cwu

Men ’ s basketball

victorious in first ever

GNAC tournament

P.15

NEWS

Legislature looks for ways to fix deficit P.3

SCENE

“Sexapalooza” teaches practices for safe sex P.9

SPORTS

Men’s basketball coach Greg Sparling leads Wildcats to playoffs P.16

Photo by Joey LaBeau

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NEWS

THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 -16, 2011

STAFF

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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NEWS

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SPORTS

SPORTS EDITOR

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KEVIN PROCTOR

SENIOR REPORTERS

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Lindsylee Wheadon cwuobservernews@gmail.com

THE OBSERVER • MARCH. 10 - 16, 2011

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State may cut education to aid state deficit Planned reductions in state funding force universities to cut programs and increase tuition

Staff Reporter

The state legislature is looking for ways to make up for lost budget and they’re eyeing your higher education like a starving man eyeing a roast.

With a budget deficit as large as $5 billion, the legislature is looking to carve a nice thick slice out of higher education funding.

They’ve already proposed 25 percent cuts to Central and they’ve asked the school to model a budget with an added 15-30 percent in cuts for the upcoming years.

In many ways, another 15-30 percent in cuts would be seen as a worst case scenario. However, A few years ago, our current situation would have been seen as worst case the worst case scenario.

If the 15-30 percent cuts were to take effect, Central would likely have to increase tuition by 20 percent next year.

Tuition would again rise by another 20 percent the year after, compounding the previous 20 percent increases.

“Legislators view higher education as a fund they can raid,” said Mike Merz, Central’s legislative liason for students.

Much of Central’s appeal to students is its affordability. If the school were forced to raise tuition by such high numbers, much of the school’s attraction would disappear.

Central attempts to cover the money current situation is not sustainable. that it is losing in funding from the state “Simply seeking efficiencies, while imthrough tuition, but if the school were portant, will not allow us to maintain and forced to raise tuition so greatly, it may not enhance the services we provide to our be able to draw enough students to cover students and our community,” Gaudino the deficit. said in a recent press release. “The fisTuition has already increased 14 per- cal problems faced by our state will likely cent in each of the last two years, and bring continued reductions and annual according to Merz, it’s “not getting any cycles of cuts.” better.”

While administraWith the tuition intion was unclear about creases of the last two these cuts will They can’t cut where years, Central reacted take place, it’s hard to by reducing the hours of much more and keep imagine that simply hundreds of employees, federal stimulus mon- moving money around sending staff on volun- ey, so they took tu- will solve the Univertary leave or retirement, sity’s financial woes. putting some 270 faculty ition money to avoid After the economic and staff on cyclic leave the problem. downturn in 2008, the and laying off about nine state was loaned money people.

LINDA SCHACTLER by the federal governThe university largely Director of Public Affairs ment. That money avoided laying off large came with a number of numbers of workers but caveats, however. The that was merely the response to the last state is not allowed to reduce higher edubiennium’s budget cuts. With the legis- cation funding below its 2006 levels. lature licking its chops over funding, an“They can’t cut much more and keep other, and perhaps more sinister, wave of federal stimulus money,” Schactler said. “restructuring” can’t be far off.

“So they took tuition money to avoid the “Class sizes are bigger this year. They’ll problem.” be bigger next year,” said Linda Schactler, This fact is disconcerting when it is takdirector of public affairs. With all the easy en into consideration that the legislature cuts gone, “now we’re left with some very helps set the schools tuition rates. difficult cuts. There’s no easy choices left.”

Logan Bahr, student member of CenPresident James Gaudino said that the tral’s board of trustees, commented on

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BY WESTON MORROW

this situation in a recent column for the Seattle Times. He asked if the legislature sets tuition rates and uses them to pull money from state higher education, then aren’t they essentially taking money from student debts?

“Now students and their families are considered a ‘revenue source,’ a phrase normally reserved for taxes,” Bahr said in his article. “It’s a succinct view of this really tangible issue that affects me, that affects you, that affects this whole community. There’s a gap between our ideal and what we’re funding.”

The state has a serious deficit that needs addressing but many proponents of higher education wonder if the legislature has its priorities in order when it comes to cuts.

“We can begin today as a state to make a series of right choices and right decisions,” Steve Corbis, former CEO of Corbis, said in a University of Washington statement on funding higher education. “We can embrace the future and seize the opportunities it presents, make wise investments and prosper. Or we can sit passive and observe the choices others make and wake up one day to find the innovation economy has passed us by.”

Often times, certain priorities get set aside in the scramble to balance a budget.

“Short term often wins out over long term,” Schactler said.

Cloudview Farms offers organic options

Wide variety of local produce is an option for students and community to get green

BY IRIS DIMMICK

Staff Reporter

The average American will never meet the farmer that grows their food. This is expected in today’s food economy; produce is shipped from hundreds– sometimes thousands– of miles away to be available, year-round, in large chain grocery stores. The dirt accidentally left in the pores of an orange is the closest contact most consumers have to the farm.

Cloudview Ecofarms, an organic farm located between Vantage and Royal City, is sponsoring Ellensburg Greendrinks, a monthly local green topic discussion group, at the Starlight Lounge. The next group meeting is 7 p.m. on March 14.

“We don’t actually drink anything that’s green,” said Diedra Petrina, Central graduate student and founder of the Ellensburg chapter of the global organization, Green Drinks. “This is a place to find people, start talking and take action.”

Community members will be able to meet some Cloudview farmers, talk about alternative sources and production of food and sign up to receive weekly produce from Cloudview’s community supported agriculture (CSA).

CSAs are spreading throughout Washington and the United States; community members contribute funds to a local or regional farm throughout the year and receive fresh produce on a regular basis. It’s a lot like buying stock in a company, but the dividends paid to investors come in the kind of green you can eat.

Cloudview started its CSA program last season. Daniel Arrañaga, studying for his masters in the Primate Behavior Program, signed up with his roommates for the two-person grocery plan.

“It was really fun opening the box and finding all these different things.” Arranaga said, “I got a lot of [produce] that I wasn’t familiar with.”

During the spring, customers can expect a wide variety of vegetables including, but not limited to: snap peas, radishes, salad mix, carrots, kale, sweet onions and something called “swiss chard,” a leafed green vegetable that is eaten raw – not from Switzerland. The summer months provide zucchini, sweet and hot peppers, watermelon, apricots and heirloom tomatoes. The fall harvest includes many of the spring and summer varieties as well

COURTESY OF JAMES MCGREEVY

FARM FRESH Owner James McGreevy displays fresh produce grown by Cloudview farmers.

as apples, hard winter squash and leeks.

For students with a heavy class load or a fast-food habit, utilizing all these items in everyday meals can seem like a daunting task. But Arrañaga says that the newsletter and recipes provided with the produce really helped him prepare his meals.

“Part of it is making time and part of it is planning,”

Arrañaga said. “If you put more time and effort into your food, you’ll notice it in the taste – and more importantly, in your health.”

Arrañaga has a personal garden and is the vice president of the board for the new Ellensburg Food Co-op, which is supported in large part by Cloudview. Joining CSA supports local, sustainable economies while reducing our food’s carbon footprint, Arrañaga said.

Decentralizing agriculture and developing a sustainable food culture is one of many goals of Cloudview.

James McGreevy, seed program focalizer, works on crop production for Cloudview said that being sustainable and “organic” is more than just the lack of insecticides and other crop controls, it’s looking at the embodied energy, the “cradle to grave” energy use, of our food.

It’s important to look at all aspects of food production, from the soil crops are planted in, to where the seed comes from, to how much fossil fuels are used in transport, according to McGreevy, “The local movement is just simplifying the process.”

Cloudview is certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, which follows a national organic standard that has strict requirements on each aspect of food production.

“It’s a hell of a lot easier not to care,” McGreevy sighs.

“I can’t blame [people] for it – no one is raised with that kind of food awareness. Local speaks a lot more than ‘organic’ label.”

Cloudview was founded by James Baird, who has been farming in Washington for about 35 years.

“I didn’t really mean to start something, I just allowed it to happen,” Baird said of the beginning stages of the community farm that started with a few people living in tents and a yurt. Approximately 15 people live and work at Cloudview. The namesake of which came from Baird, who owns several pieces of property around the area and found that the property has especially great view of the clouds.

“I can truly say that [the farm] got a life of its own,” Baird said, who is proud of what the members of Cloudview have created for themselves and for central Washington. “We’re focusing on growing good food, [using] healthier soil practices and also on working in groups and the community. Growing organic relationships between people is every bit as important as growing organic food.”

NEWS

THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

Women taught to protect CWU, Ellensburg Police host self-defense classes

BY HAYDEN RAPP

Staff Reporter

COURTESY OF R.A.D. DEFENSE SYSTEM

An educational course in women’s self-defense was hosted last week by the Central Washington University Police and the Ellensburg Community Schools. The course is based on the Rape Aggression Defense System (R.A.D) which allows women to acquire self-defense education in a relatively short period of time.

The 12-hour course had a turnout of 23 students. It was taught by Lieutenant Jason Berthon-Koch of the University Police, along with Officers Brian Melton, Mark McPherson, and Jeff St. John. Though the physical education department

also offers a credit course in women’s The system also teaches the basics self-defense, this is the second class that of hands-on defense training, and techwas open to members of the community. niques to get out of realistic scenarios.

University police will host another “We also focus on teaching strategies women’s self-defense course that will be to get out situations such as bear hugs, open to the community between April choke holds, wrist grabs and so on,” Lt. and May. Future classes will be adver- Berthon-Koch said. “I would say about tised through Central Today, The Daily 85 percent of this class is physical techRecord, as well as through the Ellens- niques.” burg School District According to newsletters. the official R.A.D. This course gives website, the objec“We teach the importance of risk women tools to use for tive of this system is awareness and per- their lifetime, allowing “to develop and ensonal safety within hance the options of our daily life,” Ber- them to realize the pow- self-defense, so they thon-Koch said. “For er they truly have. may become viable example, you have to considerations to the know the risks of us- LT. JASON BERTHON-KOCH woman who is ating social networking University Police tacked.” sites such as FaceR.A.D. was crebook. Once you put ated by a police offiinformation on the Internet, you don’t cer who found that his training would be own it.” beneficial to women who lack the knowlR.A.D. is a comprehensive, women- edge and skills to defend themselves in only course designed to educate women a violent situation. It is also the only in self-defense. It is the largest system self-defense program to be endorsed by of its kind, with a network of over 7,000 the International Association of Caminstructors who teach the program at pus Law Enforcement Administrators various colleges, universities and law-en- (IACLEA). forcement agencies. Since it was estab“This course gives women tools to lished in 1989, R.A.D. has trained over use for their lifetime,” Berthon-Koch 300,000 women in self-defense. said. “Allowing them to realize the powR.A.D. is not a martial arts program, er they truly have.” but rather an educational course that focuses on risk awareness, prevention, reduction and avoidance strategies.

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NEWS

THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

Unsafe environments New statistics show rise of sexual assault on campus

someone they don’t know very well,” Hansberry said.

“They have a few classes with the person, but they don’t really know them or how alcohol affects them.”

In February, the Wellness Center reported that one in Both Hansberry and Cook agreed it was dangerous to three women and one in seven men have experienced un- be seperated from your friends. wanted sexual contact in their time at Central. Numbers “You don’t have that support from people you really like these are staggering, and along with two attempted know,” Hansberry said. sexual assaults on campus recently, it is even more press“Students need to be aware of their surroundings,” ing that students strive to remain safe.

Cook said. “Know who they’re with and “There were 46 sexual assaults in ElUse of alcohol and refrain from over-consumption and unlensburg in 2010, which was down from derage consumption of alcohol.”

53 in 2009,” said Captain Dan Hans- going to parties inFor students who choose to drink, the berry of the Ellensburg Police Depart- creases your chances police advise you to keep a watchful eye ment. “There’s a lot that occurs on of becoming a vic- on your beverage. campus.”

“Never drink something you didn’t tim of crime — any open A pamphlet for Central’s Sexual yourself,” Hansberry said. “You Assault Response says, “CWU is com- crime, be it sexual as- don’t know if something was put in there, mitted to sexual assault prevention and sault, regular assault or even how strongly it was mixed.” to providing accessible, responsive ser- or theft.

Indeed, even if you have watched vices.” your drink and know that no date-rape If students ever do feel unsafe on drug was added, the drink itself may be LT. JAMES COOK campus, they can find a safety pole or mixed stronger than you can handle.

University Police a member of the Courtesy Assistance “We see a lot of students thinking Team (CAT) to walk with them to their they’re safe drinking mixed drinks but destination. they usually go light on alcohol, heavy on the mixer. At The University police offer a Rape Aggression De- parties, its often the other way around,” Hansberry said. fense class that empowers women with techniques to Many unreported sexual assaults occur when one of fight off attackers. “It’s a really great class,” said Uni- the parties is under the influence. “Use of alcohol and versity Police Lieutenant James Cook. “You can find out going to parties increases your chances of becoming a when the next one will be on our website.” victim of crime — any crime, be it sexual assault, regular Other than self-defense classes, one of the best things assault or theft,” Cook said. students can do protect themselves is to avoid situations The good news is that students can often prevent unwhere sexual assault may be more likely, namely those in- wanted sexual contact by avoiding situations where it volving alcohol. According to the National Sexual Vio- is most likely to happen and by properly reporting the lence Research Center, 85 percent of victims know their crimes that do occur. attackers and many of these situations involve alcohol.

“One in three is a pretty alarming number,” Hans“We often see party situations — they end up with berry said. “Hopefully that gets people’s attention.”

Homes for Tijuana

BY KELSEY HOPKINS

BY JEREMY NGUYEN

Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter

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Central’s Campus Catholic Ministry (CCM) views spring break as an opportunity to help people in need.

This year CCM is leading 31 students on a mission trip to Tijuana. Students will spend their time helping families in need by building them new homes. This is the first mission trip of its kind offered by CCM and would not be possible with out the vision and planning of Campus Minister Father Wilmar.

Wilmar has gone on mission trips with students before and has seen the changes it has had on them.

“As the campus minister I want to provide a positive alternative to their spring break,” Wilmar said.

For over a year now Wilmar and students have been planning this mission trip and raising money. Planning has gone well for CCM and the students were able to raise enough money to fund their mission.

The student volunteers come from different backgrounds. Some have gone on mission trips before while for others this will be there first time.

“In high school I went to Mexico for a mission trip.

When I was there, there was not a moment when I didn’t feel good. No one was upset, no one felt guilty,” said Audrey Mulloy, sophomore recreation tourism major.

“When I heard of this mission trip there was no way I was passing it up.”

Mission trips can change not only the lives of those who receive help but can also change the lives of those who give it. Mission trips allow people the opportunity to learn about other cultures and to grow compassion for others who are in need.

“I know we will experience a great sense of service in Mexico. My hope is that we will take it back here locally,” said Marcus Ayers, grad student Russian history.

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SPONSORED BY CAMPUS ACTIVITIES !!"##$"%&'()*+,*+-.'&'/'&0-1*203*455066074'&0-8*9:;3)5)<'=5>/1)7/

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NEWS

THE OBSERVER • MARCH. 10 - 16, 2011

Strategic planning task force University takes a look at current approach

Staff Reporter

As required by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Central formed a task force in spring of 2009 and is currently reviewing topics like university budget, and ways the school may become more entrepreneurial among many other things, such as becoming more innovative, integrated and inclusive.

“An institution should reexamine their goals and plans for the future,” said Strategic Planning Co-Chair Tracy Pellett. “It is good practice.”

To maintain accreditation, Central must go through this process every five years. As factors like the economy, budget cuts and student enrollment change, it is essential for current administrations to change with the times, not only because it is required.

“The state’s economic crisis has resulted in the need for a thorough review of CWU’s vision,” President James Gaudino said. “Over the next several months we will complete a vision that will work for the university over the next 20 years.”

The economy is perhaps the most important factor guiding the current Strategic Planning Task Force.

“Right now the State of Washington is

cutting our budget, so we have to change you to send your own comments or ideas, the way we do some things because we’re survey results and the dates and times of getting less money from the state,” Co- meetings.

Chair Amy Hoover said. “We certainly The task force relies on the feedback don’t want to be passing on more financial from current students, alumni and the burden to our students – that’s our last re- Ellensburg community to decide what issort. Students are valuable, they are our sues are of the most concern and need to customers and if they weren’t here then be addressed within the current strategic we wouldn’t be here.” plan.

There are five core themes of the task As a town of around 20,000 people, force, which is comprised of Central fac- around half of the population is college ulty, students and comstudents. Rather than We certainly don’t having a reputation of munity members like the mayor and city manager want to be passing on the typical college, with of Ellensburg. Specifi- more financial bur- students defacing the cally, the organization, or streets after long nights themes, of the plan will den to our students – of partying, one goal is review resource develop- that’s our last resort. to integrate the commument and stewardship, nity into the opportunities inclusiveness and diverAMY HOOVER available at Central. sity, public service and “We’d like to have Task Force Co-Chair community engagement, the community come on teaching and learning along with scholar- campus and use it as a resource,” Hoover ships and creative expression. said. “For example, on March 2 there was This information comes from a draft a talk on diabetes and personal responsimade by the committee which dives deep- bility in Hertz Hall; why shouldn’t all the er and explains each theme extensively. of the community be involved in that? It’s The draft is available online for anyone a way they can take advantage of having a to view by visiting Guadino’s website and university in their city.” following the link to Strategic Planning/ With 19 bases and over 40,000 military Visioning. Also available online are re- personnel in Washington, another goal is sources like feedback forms – which allow to attract veterans to Central. Because

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BY MATTHEW WILCOX

Food stamps

vets have federal grants from the government to pay for college, this would not only benefit the veteran, but it would ensure tuition is paid to the school, helping to keep costs low.

“We already do things pretty well, we don’t want to change things that are already good. But there are certainly things we can do better,” Hoover said.

For example, can programs offer things in a different way, like getting money or support from corporations or foundations?”

Exploring private partnerships with regional businesses is an objective of the committee. Thinking entrepreneurially has the potential to bring money to university and in turn offer real-world work to students in forms like internships and work-studies. For example, the Aviation Department is entering into agreements with Boeing Aircraft where they might support things such as scholarships in the engineering department. The College of Business also has support from different industries.

During finals week between March 15-17, students are encouraged to give feedback on the plan in the SURC. The Strategic Planning Task Force will have feedback boards available for students to leave comments, ideas or concerns

Requirements leave few eligible for state food stamps benefits

BY NINA KANARSKAYA

Staff Reporter

According to the Washington State Department of Health, only 57 percent of eligible people receive food stamp benefits and assistance, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

With rising tuition rates and fewer available jobs more people should be using their benefits. However, Judith Hennessy assistant sociology professor explains why more people are not taking advantage of their eligibility.

“The stigma associated with food stamps is tied to stereotypes about people on welfare and beliefs in the U.S. about independence and self-sufficiency,” Hennessy said. “SNAP benefits are seen as a government hand out and those who are helped by the program are stigmatized for not being able to take care of themselves and having to rely on the government.”

Hennessy found that low-income women had a difficult time asking for government assistance because they felt the stigma of going to the DSHS office to ask for help due to an inability to provide care for themselves and their children. Often losing a job or not being able to find work would make the women apply for food stamps to get by.

“Food Stamps are means tested, which means that you have to be low income in order to qualify,” Hennessy said. “In the U.S., being poor and relying on government assistance is associated with stereotypes, such as people that rely on government assistance are lazy and don’t want to work.”

However, SNAP works with local agencies to improve the probability of people eligible for the Basic Food Program to make healthy food choices stay active. For students to be eligible they must be between 18 and 49 and enrolled as at least a half-time student as described by the in-

stitution. The student has to work at least 20 hours per week or be responsible for a child 11 or under. Online applications are available.

“If [students] qualify for and receive SNAP benefits they are able to more easily purchase food, so they would benefit.

It might be the case that not having to spend so much on food allows someone to pay the rent, buy gas, etc.” Hennessy said. “The pros are having more income to spend on food for themselves or if they have children their families.”

Another resource students can turn to is the Ellensburg FISH Food Bank. Their mission statement reads “People who are in need of food and unable to satisfy their own needs because of disabilities, job loss, divorce or various temporary emergencies will receive assistance.”

The food bank is sponsored by 14 local churches and in January they served 672 adults between the ages of 19 and 54.

“We don’t keep track if they’re stu-

dents or not,” Program Director Roger McCune said. “We have lunches where there are no questions asked. We don’t ask for identification; just ask them to sign in so we can keep track of the numbers.”

The food bank doesn’t require clients to provide food stamps, though not all services are available to everyone. Meals for anyone are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays noon to 1 p.m. and Saturdays 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“Most of our customers probably use food stamps but that’s not a question we ask,” McCune said. “We are a supplement to food stamps.”

The food bank works with a nutritionist from CWU to create healthy meals for clients. The food bank even provides classes with the nutritionist.

“One of the things we try to do is provide a good balance for people,” McCune said. “That’s a priority for us.”

NEWS

THE OBSERVER • MARCH. 10 - 16, 2011

7

Between you and the law

Panelists urge students to become educated, understand the importance of public involvement

BY NICHOLE WILLIAMSON

Staff Reporter

The Civic Engagement Center (CEC) hosted the first You and the Law event March 2, to help educate students on their political and legal rights and obligations.

Presentations were put on by a variety of students, professors and community members. They also hosted an open forum that allowed students and community members to ask questions to a panel of community experts.

“I don’t know how any student could say they’re not interested,” said Joe Cilley, senior political science major, presenter and one of the event organizers. He hoped to inform students about the history and importance of voting.

“It’s more than just registering, it’s about being involved in the local, state and national government,” Cilley said.

“It’s not just one little number among millions.”

The CEC had laptops available at their table and at the open forum for students to register throughout the day.

Judge Scott Sparks, a Kittitas County Superior Court Judge, also gave a presentation about becoming a judge and the court process. The Superior Court, which is located at the Ellensburg Courthouse sees “everything but parking tickets.”

“Everyone thinks that the courts are about justice, that’s the goal, but it’s about making the right judgment to the law,”

JOEY LEBEAU

LEARNING FROM THE MAN Students gather in the SURC to participate in the You and The Law event hosted by the Civic Engagement Center. The panel consisted of community members with occupations such as judge, attorney, auditor and law enforcement.

Sparks said.

Sparks also encouraged students to become involved by quoting the CEC’s motto for the event, “Don’t vote? Don’t worry! Let someone else make your decisions.”

“People need to be informed if they want a better society,” Sparks said. “If we were all in this together, think what we could accomplish.”

Presentations were also given about student rights, free speech, military service, police presence on campus and

many other topics.

The forum panel consisted of Kittitas County Auditor Jerry Pettit, Attorney Jim Denison, Judge Scott Sparks, University Police Captain Mike Luvera and Cilley.

They answered questions given by students about everything from water rights to medical marijuana on campus.

“You still can’t smoke it in a public location and you can’t smoke it in housing,” Luvera said. “You can still get arrested, you can still get charged, the green card is just a defense.”

Denison added that all marijuana found would be seized and destroyed and would not be returned to the user.

The CEC hopes that they will be able to host similar events every quarter with different guest speakers.

“It’s a variety of different techniques to encourage students to think critically and analytically, and most importantly, to take action,” said Lorinda Anderson, director of the CEC.

Experience the Extraordinary L A R T N E C T E I L U J & O E CWU FAMILY WEEKEND : MAY 6-8, 2011 F M R E O V N I G R E L B M E S N E E R T W A E T R H T A Y A D I R F T S R I F E N I W FLOAT K F L L A B T L A A W B T T O AR O F K C A L B & N O CRIMS L FARMERS MARK L A B V T E L O S FO T F A R C D O O F S E E T S I W VEGGI T D N A S N O O P S BENT R T G N I D A E R MIND M R O F R E P C I S MU S M U I S O P M I H C From garden gnomes and river floats to mindreading and performances, and this weekend’s got something for everyone!

Family, friends, teammates, neighbors...everyone’s invited to this mindbending weekend!

Register early for FREE stuff!

Full details & tickets online March 11* at www.cwu.edu/~events * Tickets also available at Wildcat Shop.

Student accounts open through April 4.

AA/EEO/Title IX Institution. Accommodations: 509-963-1691 or CDSrecept@cwu.edu

Craig Karges. Extraordinist Saturday at 8 p.m.

More information: www.cwu.edu/~events

OPINION THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

cwuobserveropinion@gmail.com

The budget and you

Even though it may not be the most interesting topic, the state budget has an impact on your life High school civics class was a long time ago, so I figured I’d use this last column of the quarter to explain a pressing issue for everyone at Central: the state budget

BY ANTHONY JAMES process.

Editor-in-Chief It’s not a sexy topic by any means, but while most students, including myself, go home for the break and tune out of school for a couple weeks,

a $37 billion budget should be whittled down to $32 billion by 147 lawmakers.

What does this mean for higher education? It’s pretty certain that there will be cuts, and those cuts will hurt.

The budget bill is actually one bill, usually hundreds of pages in length. One is submitted in each house early in the legislative session by the chairperson of the respective budget committee.

Over half of the budget is legally off limits to cuts. Higher education is not, and also brings in significant revenue, so it has the potential to be cut.

Here’s where the wrangling begins.

Lawmakers now have to add, delete and modify items over the course of the 105-

day session. It will finally be voted upon versity. To many students, a reduction in state funding will only mean higher near the end of the session in April. tuition and classes with Sure, it’s not something that most of us What does this more students. But for the majority of Central want to follow. But when you leave town mean for higher edu- students who receive for a week or two, fol- cation? It’s pretty cer- financial aid, these cuts low the news and keep tain that there will be will hurt. track of what’s going cuts, and those cuts I’m attending Cenon. tral only because of financial aid and beLogan Bahr, Cen- will hurt. cause of the relatively tral’s student trustee, low cost of tuition. I said in a recent editorial in the Seattle Times, “The money know many other students in the same students pay for their education is no position. The “high tuition, high aid” longer considered a fee paid to a school model the state has been pushing for for instruction. Now students and their simply doesn’t work and discourages the families are considered a ‘revenue middle class from seeking higher educasource,’ a phrase normally reserved for tion. taxes. Those are policymakers’ words, Even if you don’t care or are indifnot mine.” ferent about the budget process and the It’s sad, but true. It’s a very real pos- potential for cuts, at least follow the news. sibility that State Need Grant funding We are all college students after all. could be reduced in addition to a reduction in overall state funding for the uni-

“

Sports, staplers and a farewell

banter back and forth. Just don’t forget to keep working on those cottage cheese legs of yours.

John Luke Lasalle, I miss you and will continue to for as long as I live. Your life out of love. We up here at The Observer ended much too short, and you are greatare a family, and it’s been a privilege to be ly missed by all of us at The Observer. a part of it for as long My former edias I have. tors and friends Ryan But at the end of To wrap this up, Ricigliano, Darcy the day, it’s all been Wytko, Abby Reynolds, there are a number of out of love. We up Matthew Robinson and special individuals I would be remiss not to here at The Observer David Guzman – you mention. are some of my are a family, and it’s guys A special thanks to all time favorites for been a privilege to be very different reasons. I Sammy Henderson a part of it for as long think you can figure out and Jonathan Gordon in the athletics departthose reasons for youras I have. ment. Thank you for self. I will always have everything you two fond memories of you have done in helping guys from last year. me with The Observer over the years.

The school doesn’t pay you two good sirs enough. Keep up the good work.

Cynthia Mitchell, you are one great teacher. Sometimes I don’t always appreciate your edits or reading responses, but there hasn’t been a teacher at Central I You may recall the CWU College Rehave learned more from than you. publicans holding a controversial event Lindsy, you made nights in the news- denouncing illegal immigration and invitroom much more entertaining and enjoy- ing armed minutemen as guests in 2008. able for me this past year. I will miss our Recently, the College Republicans held an event they called “ICE ICE Baby,” which was to be an event to show support for law enforcement and oppose illegal immigration.

I support law enforcement and do not condone illegal immigration. However, it was apparent to me that the College Republicans had ulterior motives for holding such an event. In discussing the event and Entertainment, meetings, calendar events, display games to play, the College Republicans’ ads, classified ads: Friday 5 p.m.

Facebook page was full of racially motivated and inflammatory remarks, including: “we can play ‘take the baby from the Scene: cwuobserverscene@gmail.com parents’,” “I think a piñata is in order,” Sports: cwuobserversports@gmail.com and “who can use their child to snag citiOpinion: cwuobserveropinion@gmail.com zenship the best,” along with accusations of Mexicans and other races degrading the “cultural gradient” of the U.S. One member even discussed the possibility 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. that their comments were racist or xeno509-963-1073 phobic. cwuobserver@gmail.com It is obvious to me that the callous and offensive comment making light of taking children from parents was in direct

Sports Editor leaves after nearly two years

“

“

It’s been a long road. This week will mark my last issue as sports editor for The Observer, a journey that has introduced me to some amazing people in my two years while on staff, and some others who, well, let’s just say they will be deleted from my Facebook, effective immediately.

There have been many stressful nights, but it’s been an experience I

BY KEVIN PROCTOR wouldn’t trade Sports Editor for anything.

I’ve shouted, laughed, and even cried with a number of these people that I have become family with. Jokes that cross the line have been made, too much gossip has been spread, and yes, even staplers have been thrown out of frustration.

(So sorry Abby!)

But at the end of the day, it’s all been

Deadlines

Sections

General/Editor-in-Chief: cwuobserver@ gmail.com News: cwuobservernews@gmail.com

CWU, 400 E. University Way Boullion Hall 222 Ellensburg, WA 98926

Katie Reese, what can I say? We’ve had a lot time spent together in many classes, late nights in the newsroom, and long car rides back and forth from the west side.

You have and always will be one of my best friends, wherever life may take us. I don’t know what I would have done without you last year.

And lastly, my best buddy Matt Carstens. You may think you know everything about the Mariners, but we both know I am the real expert. You’ve been everything I could have asked for in an Assistant editor, and are truly one of my best friends. I know you will fill my shoes next quarter quite well. (Have fun with Coach Desi in the Spring!)

And with that, I bid farewell and adieu to all the great people I have had the pleasure of working with the last four years.

It’s been real, Central. Peace!

Letters to the Editor

About The Observer Weekend sports information: Monday 5 p.m.

Letters to the editor: Sunday 5 p.m.

“

8

Contact Us

reference to the ICE raids that happened here in Ellensburg just weeks ago, which separated many families and even affected some CWU students. The comment about the piñata was insensitive, at best, and leads me to believe that Mexicans were a specific target of this event, because while illegal immigration does not specifically come only from Mexico, piñatas are specific to Mexican celebrations.

It doesn’t make sense for a group who says that they are only against illegal immigration to also attack those who have gained legal citizenship through birth, as granted by our Constitution’s fourteenth amendment, or through legal processes outlined by our own U.S. government.

I also think that it is illogical for a group to support law enforcement and advocate against an illegal activity (illegal immigration), yet at the same time support and condone the illegal activities of the Minutemen (vigilantism).

Edwardo Morfin Senior Political Science and Law and Justice Major, Latin American Studies Minor

Get social!

Use your smartphone’s QR code Dear Readers, reader to find The Observer online The Observer welcomes brief letters (300 words or less) from readers on current issues. Please at cwuobserver.com. include your full name and university affiliation: year and major, degree and year graduated, Be sure to also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

or staff position and department. To be printed in the following weekʼs issue, please e-mail your letters to cwuobserveropinion@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Monday. The Observer reserves the right to edit for style and length. Anonymous letters will not be considered.

SCENE Scene Editor

Nicole Swapp cwuobserverscene@gmail.com

S

THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

9

A

exapalooz let’s talk about safe sex, baby

BY NICOLE SWAPP

Scene Editor

Students gathered in the SURC Ballroom last Monday for an eye-opening event; Sexapalooza.

The night had three major events; many of them had crowd involvement and let the audience get a chance to ask personal questions. STD Deal or No Deal was “just like the game show Deal or No Deal, but instead of having a dollar amount inside cases there will be different STDs or no STD,” said Sara Healas, senior biology major and coordinator of Sexapalooza. “It’s going to help educate people about what each STD is and if it’s treatable.”

There was also a sex panel and a condom outfit fashion show which “Residence Halls were asked to create outfits out of condoms, that are totally appropriate and that are very fun,” she said.

Chris Babinski, sophomore biology major, paraded around as “Dr. Love” who he described as the symbol for safe sex. “He is kind of like a mascot,” he said.

“Dr. Love” was handing out condoms and stickers saying, “Just wear it” and “Pontelo,” meaning “put it on.” “I hope Central students will become more aware and practice safe sex,” Babinski said.

Groups such as Central VOX, SALT, EQuAl, HEART, RHA, The Wildcat Shop and the Campus Catholic Ministry were there to provide information about safe sex and other options as well. Jeremy Hochstein, senior film and video studies major and peer minister of Campus Catholic Ministry, said they were there to provide information about chastity and abstinence as part of a health aspect to relationships. They wanted to give “multiple options versus just safe sex,” he said.

An informational sex panel consisting of four Central staff members, Richard DeShields, senior director of university housing and new student programs, Kristin Karns, nurse practitioner for student medial and counseling clinic, Barbara Stanley, registered nurse for students medial and counseling clinic and Jennifer Lenmbeck, assistant professor in the public health department.

The panel answered the audience’s questions that were either written or texted in.

Question: What do I do if my girlfriend has a bad odor down there?

“There are certain STDs that do have a bad odor, we can check for them,” Karns said. “Women have a strong odor.

It’s musky and can smell strong but it shouldn’t smell bad.”

“Embrace the smell,” Lenmbeck said.

Question: Honestly, how safe is anal sex? The anus is “elastic to a certain point. It can damage much easier and becomes a problem in the spread of diseases,” DeShields said.

Question: What are all the dangers with ass to mouth? “If that’s something you’re going to use as a pleasure point use a dental dam,” DeShields said. “There is some tissue between the anus and penis that is a little more titillating than ATM.” Question: Is it bad to swallow cum? “No it’s not,” Karns said.

Question: How many times do men/women think about sex? “We did an impromptu survey a few years back.

We asked our partners how many times they think about sex. Some were 50 times a day,” Karns said.

Question: How many Central students have encountered an STD? “If you have more than three partners, you stand an 80 percent chance of getting HPV,” Karns said.

The Wellness Center said that one in four Central students have encountered an STD. Stanley said that it is almost impossible to get a statistic on campus because students are getting checked at places like Planned Parenthood, their personal doctors or driving back to the west side.

Healas said having a panel was good to get people involved without putting their face out there.

Anna Cockrum, freshman math and education major, and Kailey Baker, sophomore elementary education major, said they were there because a friend wanted to come and they were curious to see what it was. Baker said a few of the questions from the panel were interesting.

Healas learned about the program at a leadership conference last June. “It’s a program that helps students learn the importance of safe sex if they are sexually active,” she said.

“I wasn’t expecting to fill the room. Next year I hope for the people putting it on to start publicizing sooner to get more of a turnout,” Healas said. “Keep it fun to get people to stay.”

Lindsay Trott contributed to this story.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NICOLE SWAPP

10

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THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

SCENE

Central’s Theatre Arts Department showcases three upcoming plays this year

BY GIANCARLO GONZALEZ

Senior Scene Reporter

“Still Life with Iris” is playing until March 12 in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre.

Tickets are $5 for students with Connection Card, $8 for seniors and children and $10 for general admission.

“The Snow Queen” is playing in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre from April 22 - 24.

They will also be doing a Northwest tour from April 28 - June 3.

Tickets are $5 for students with Connection Card, $7 for all seats.

“The Country Wife” is playing from May 5 7 and May 15 in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre.

Tickets are $5 for students with Connection Card, $8 for seniors and nonCentral students and $10 for general admission.

“Still Life with Iris,” written by Steven Dietz, is an award winning play that was developed at Seattle Children’s Theatre. This fantasy is about a girl who searches for her memories in order to find her family and home. Iris, the main character, lives in the colorful world called “Nocturna” where every character performs a job that is connected to the physical world. A person’s magical coat is their reservoir of memories.

The inhabitants of this world are ruled by “the Goods” and on their home, the Island of the

Great Goods, they keep one of every perfect thing. Iris is taken away because she is the perfect girl and made to live with Grotto and Greta Good on their island.

Her coat is taken away but she keeps a button that holds the key to her return. Her adventure is filled with strange and wonderful characters in her journey to rediscover herself. Audiences will find many appealing elements in the play including a strong moral on family love and one’s self discovery through family ties.

“The Snow Queen” is Hans Christian Anderson’s famous story adapted for the stage with a younger audience in mind. The protagonists, Kai and Gerda, are best friends who spend time playing in their window box gardens.

An evil mage has schemed to show the angels their reflections as distorted but instead his mirror breaks and the shards fall to the earth.

These splinters make people see everything as ugly. A

small piece falls into Kai’s eye and in his heart. He leaves everything he previously loved except for snowflakes.

He becomes the slave of the Snow Queen through trickery one winter and is kidnapped to her kingdom. Undaunted, Gerda goes on a quest to rescue her best friend. “The Snow Queen” is a family friendly show and will tour after its run at Central.

“The Country Wife” is a marked departure from the family fare that preceded it. In fact, due to its adult themes, the play is marketed as not appropriate for children under 13.

This irreverent, witty tale offers some of the best laughs you’ll ever have. When it was written in 1675 by William Wycherley, “The Country Wife” shocked many viewers with its sexual explicitness and a lewd pun within its title. This restoration comedy however was favored

by Charles II and his court after having endured 18 years of Puritan censorship under Oliver Cromwell.

The show revolves around three

separate but connected plot lines.

The first is a nobleman’s pursuit of sexual conquest by pretending he’s impotent. Symbolically, his name is “Horner.”The second follows an elderly man as he marries a young country woman hoping she will be too naïve to cheat on him. “Pinchwife” brings his wife, Margery, to London where she hooks up with Horner and then goes on a wild sexual escapade with every Tom, Dick and Harry. The third is a conventional love story.

The courtship of Harcourt and Alithea shows how persistence and true love win the day.

THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

11

Tyrannosaurus Grace performs for their local crowd at Raw Space

BY PETER O’CAIN

Senior News Reporter

Lakyn Bury has the Raw Space crowd hypnotized. With her soft, innocent voice she lulls them into a false sense of security.

They stand before her, unconsciously bobbing their bodies side to side, up and down. Soon she will have them where she wants them. Soon they will be ripe for decimation. She rips through her guitar strings to the rhythm of “Monster,” readying the crowd.

Behind Bury are bandleaders Tim Held and Justin Foss on guitar, bassist Jeff Gerrer and drummer Dave Hoffman. They have surrendered the spotlight to her because they know what’s coming.

After three minutes and thirty seconds of “Monster,” Bury releases a piercing scream that is reminiscent of a possessed teenage girl being exorcised by a Catholic priest. Now the crowd is alive. Now they have become possessed by the band.

The band is Tyrannosaurus Grace, and they’re from Ellensburg.

Tyrannosaurus Grace (T-Grace) is the lovechild of childhood friends Justin Foss and Tim Held. After graduating from Cle Elum-Roslyn High School in 2002, Foss studied music at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles for a year before moving to Portland to attend Portland Community College. Held studied at Central, before transferring to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. to begin work on a Master’s degree in anthropology.

It was while Foss was in Portland and Held was in Kalamazoo that T-Grace began to take form as they were both independently creating music.

“I had heard some of the stuff that Justin was doing and I was really impressed how he was making his own drum beats and everything,” Held said.

Held was so impressed that he asked Foss to add his drum beats to a song Held had been writing. Foss did so and they both loved it.

“We both thought that it turned out so good that we decided to start a music project together,” Held said.

Fate would eventually reunite Foss and Held in Ellensburg. In the beginning, they didn’t know how seriously to take their music project. They found their answer once they finished “Sustenance from Stimulants” and “Saturday Morning

Apology.”

“When we finished those two songs, that’s when we were like, ‘we might be on to something,’” Held said.

The next step for their project was to piece together a band.

They set their crosshairs on Dave Hoffman, junior philosophy major and the self-declared greatest Scorpion in the history of Mortal Kombat. Hoffman has the ability to keep pace with anything from a dripping faucet to an AK-47. And for 6 months, Foss and Held kept him in their sights.

“I was getting a call that last week [before I joined the band] at least once a day from Tim, being like, ‘Hey, can you come up tonight? Just, you know, for like, five minutes,’” Hoffman said.

Finally, there was a night in which Hoffman had no excuse not to entertain Foss and Held’s advances. Hoffman met Foss and Held at Held’s parent’s barn in Ellensburg to watch them practice.

“It wasn’t even, like, 10 seconds into the song (“Had Me Some Ladies”) where I was like, ‘Oh, shit!

This is a goldmine. I have to be a part of this,’” Hoffman said.

The next to join was Bury, a freshman. At first, Bury was only slated for guest vocals on “Chemistry,” but after laying her part down Held asked her to join T-Grace.

The last member of T-Grace to join was Jeff Gerrer, a freshman and National Guard infantryman, who Hoffman had been playing with in various bands for eightyears.

“The thing about Jeff is we’ll show him a riff, like, even when we’re writing a new song and then he had the bass line in like, three minutes,” Held said.

Tyrannosaurus Grace meet at center stage, each member putting their hand on top of each other’s in the middle of the circle they’ve formed.

“Quack! Quack! Quack! Quack!

Quack! Quack!” they chant, in reference to The Mighty Ducks. “Gooo-oooo Ducks!”

They follow their nostalgic entrance with a psychedelic introduction and then dive into “Biology Not Demons.” Soon, crunchy guitar riffs burst from the stage

alongside Held’s gravely lead vocals.

T-Grace finishes “Biology” to the sound of raucous applause.

“Last time we played Raw Space we drank till three in the morning the night before,” Foss said.

“This time we only drank till two,” Held said.

“One! We improved by two hours,” Foss said. “Yay for slightly recovering alcoholics!”

Tyrannosaurus Grace completes their set with “Had Me Some Ladies.” Held yields his position as center of attention to Foss, who orders his fingers into a blurred fight against his guitar strings. Foss’s fingers punch and tap and grind the strings. The crowd loves it. As the song climaxes, Held drops to his knees and lets every ounce of sound escape from his diaphragm.

Raw Space is ravaged. The crowd that shuffled in expecting to be entertained is shuffling out of the exits through piles of gray matter. The crowd that was once hypnotized was freed to spread their gospel.

ALL PHOTOS COURTSEY OF TYRANNOSAURUS GRACE

GET YOUR GROOVE ON Tyrannosaurus Grace performs at Raw Space in Janruary.

SCENE

12 THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

Best of 2010: video game awards Now that the games of 2010 have had enough time to pass into memory, it’s important to see which games stand out from the crowd and made the greatest impact. This year BY BRYAN EATON has proven to Staff Reporter have a plethora of new games redefining old styles and already has set itself apart from previous years of gaming.

Best Dialogue: Fallout New Vegas Obsidian’s superior writing left many players reeling in laughter and sometimes crying. Great voice actors like Zachary Levi, Felicia Day and Wayne Newton brought great performances, although admittedly, Matthew Perry’s performance as Benny was subpar. That said, the script was near perfect with a few flaws here and there. Some minor characters like Fisto, the sexbot, or Carrie Boyd steal the show with their dialogue at times, but the companions really make it worthwhile. Cass’s fixations, Veronica’s deadpan snarkiness, Lily’s sad story of being a Nightkin grandma, Arcade Gannon’s decision to “obfuscate [his] past with a former fascist paramilitary organization,” and Boone’s

tragic silence all warrant the best dialogue in a video game.

Memorable Quote: Silus: “Do you know what I love about our slave collars Lieutenant?” Lt. Boyd: “They’re all the rage in fashion circles?”

Best Graphics – Metroid: Other M (cutscenes) & Gran Turismo 5 (gameplay) Other M may seem like it doesn’t have the best graphics, but the award is not going to in-game graphics. The in-game graphics, while very well done, hold nothing to the cutscenes in the game. This is where Other M wins this award. The cutscenes, which take up a large chunk of the game, have the most impressive graphics ever rendered. Eyes move like they do in real life (a developer interview revealed that this was researched heavily to get it to look right), hair is layered and reflects light in highlights properly, the character models even have pores. One early flashback cutscene uses lighting so well that a player may forget that they are watching a completely digitally created image. DRockets, who designed these scenes, has set a new bar that has surpassed anything in previous video games.

Gran Turismo 5 has spectacular gameplay graphics that features various levels of shine of the car to little tiny details on the steering wheel. The sun will get in your eyes as you drive and the glare off of other cars makes it feel very realistic.

Unfortunately, Gran Turismo hasn’t really changed in the 10 years the series has

been around, so you really do feel like all you are buying is a graphical upgrade.

Best Visual Scene: The opening cutscene of Other M, a recreation of the epic final battle in Super Metroid, in 3-D. Best soundtrack – Halo: Reach Halo almost didn’t make this list at all.

Reach, while much harder than earlier installments, still feels like older Halos.

When it comes to music though, this is a strong area. Halo: Reach once again provides a memorable orchestral soundtrack that fits every scenario that your character experiences. The music provides a nice complement to the story being told and played out around you during the game.

Halo: Reach walks away with this award.

Best Musical Moment – All of them Most Pleasant Surprise – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver This game proved to be one of the better moments in gaming over the previous year. Very few remakes end up as well made as their originals, yet HeartGold and SoulSilver (HGSS) proved much better than their originals. While they are currently eclipsed by the recent release of Pokémon Black and White, HGSS brought many longtime fans back to their childhood and proved to be as addicting as the originals. The games also left an impression on Nintendo, resulting in the upcoming Pokémon Video Game Championships to add a Master’s Division for those 18 years or older due to high sales in

Student by day and a beauty queen by night

opportunity to raise money and awareness, and also, to model a pretty dress,” Knight said.

The group has raised almost $25,000 to benefit breast cancer awareness and research in just two events and has sparked the interest of girls from all over the state.

Knight has held twelve titles since she was 10 years old, that’s one state title every year and a few years with multiple titles.

“It has been a busy, busy 10 years.”

Knight said.

Knight grew up a tomboy and rolled her eyes at the idea of wearing a pink dress, prancing around on stage. When she was nine years old, her grandmother told her that she could earn money by performing on stage, insisting that she give it a chance. She has been hooked ever since.

“I was 9 and got first runner up in a horrible frilly pink dress, and my competitive nature told me that if I worked hard, I would be able to win next time,” Knight said. “Even though I haven’t won every time, the friends that I have made keep me coming back.”

Knight’s ultimate goal is to become Miss Washington and go on to place in the top five at Miss America. She says that the value of the networks she has gained through pageants will be a priceless asset in her future and hopes that her character will continue to develop through her involvement, making her an even stronger leader both on campus and in life after Central.

BY STEFANIE BURGER

Staff Reporter

A queen walks among students at Central. Victoria Knight, a freshman intending on majoring in education, has been competing in pageants since she was nine years old and continues to compete today.

Knight, whose friends describe as caring and compassionate, has competed in multiple pageant systems but says that her dedication is now with the Miss America Organization.

“Tori is one of the nicest and sweetest girls I have ever met. She is a wonderful person that deserves to be noticed,” said Taylor Lempitsky, freshman elementry education major .

The Miss America Organization is the largest scholarship provider for women in the world and gives millions of dollars each year to women between the ages of 17-24. Knight was a teen titleholder in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen program and has recently made the transition into the Miss program where she will be competing in the Miss Columbia Basin and Miss Eastside pageants later this month as a preliminary to the Miss Wash-

T H E

ington Pageant, which will be held in July.

“Competing for Miss Washington will help me promote my platform and provides me with opportunities to perform,” Knight said. “Not only that, but the scholarships that are provided are helpful to so many women on their journey to a career.

I am honored to even be a competitor in a local this year. I cannot wait to see what opportunities are in store for me.”

Within the Miss America Organization, contestants are required to choose a community service platform in which they will base their year of service around if crowned. Knight’s platform is breast cancer awareness, something she is passionate about. She has started a blog titled “The Naked Truth, Prevention Starts Young” and started a non-profit organization.

“Queens for a Cure is a Non-Profit organization that I co-founded with a 10 year-old-girl that I mentor. She and I were looking for a way to get more girls involved in volunteering, considering it is hard to volunteer at a young age. We started a benefit for breast cancer, where girls come together and compete on stage, like a pageant, only an introduction and evening wear are scored. The girls get the

S C O O p

MARCH 10-12

MARCH 10

STILL LIFE WITH IRIS MILO SMITH TOWER THEATRE 7:30 PM $5 STUDENTS $10 GENERAL

UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE SURC BALLROOM 8 PM $3 STUDENTS | $5

college-aged players.

Most surprising moment – Well placed adult humor hidden in dialogue.

Game of the Year – Donkey Kong Country Returns Many of these games were seriously considered for game of the year. Fallout took many players time, Metroid provided a good, yet controversial, plot, Halo delivered, like usual, Pokemon was classic while new, and Kirby was a dream come true. Donkey Kong beat them out for one reason. It was the same as it was in 1994.

Donkey Kong went through a huge genre shift starting with Donkey Kong 64 and never really recovered until now. Every Donkey Kong appearance on the Gamecube was either a gimmicky spin-off game or in Super Smash Bros. Donkey Kong Country Returns properly took the series back to its roots.

Game developer Retro Studios, who were also responsible for the Metroid Prime series, proved themselves once again to be the masters at reviving dead franchises. Most importantly, Retro also introduced new elements that weren’t at odds with what was once Rare’s delightful series. Lastly, the games are as hard as the original Donkey Kong Country games.

Crowning Moment – Feeling like you are 6 again, but with swearing and beer. You’ll need both to win this game.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VICTORIA KNIGHT

QUEEN FOR THE DAY Victoria Knight winning International Spokeswoman and International Talent.

MARCH 11-13

MARCH 13

MARCH 17

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES SURC THEATRE 8 PM $7 ONLINE | $8 AT DOOR FOR STUDENTS $10 ONLINE | $12 AT DOOR FOR GENERAL

ORCHESTRA CONCERT MUSIC CONCERT HALL 4 PM $5 STUDENTS AND SENIORS $10 GENERAL

TIETON DRIVE AND TYRANNOSAURUS GRACE RAW SPACE 9 PM $5

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THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

VOX likes SEX, safe sex Club dedicates itself to teaching Central students about having safe sex

Project provides prom dresses for less fortunate high schoolers

BY ALYSSA HOARD

Staff Reporter

BY CHRIS CHRISTENSEN

Staff Reporter

Central VOX is an active club on campus whose primary objective is to raise public awareness of the reproductive health issues facing students and members of the community.

“Topics can range from STI awareness, safe sex practices, the availability reproductive healthcare services, to the current legislative actions within both the state and federal legislatures,” said John Vann, VOX president.

To achieve this goal, VOX actively volunteers with the Ellensburg Planned Parenthood by participating in phone banks, letter to the editor campaigns and citizen lobbying activities.

VOX works with other clubs on campus to help staff and run local campus events targeted at raising awareness of health care issues.

“Last Sunday and Monday, a number of our club members participated in Planned Parenthood Votes annual lobby day event,” Vann said. “This event is designed to send members of our community from all over the state to the state capitol to speak with our local legislators about healthcare issues.”

VOX is asking the legislators to vote for the Limited Service Pregnancy Cen-

ter Accountability Act as well as to urge legislators to continue funding for reproductive healthcare programs such as Take Charge that may be eliminated within the current state budget. The club is also actively phone banking about these issues.

Last Monday, they participated in Sexapalooza in the SURC Ballroom where students came to educate themselves about STIs, safe sex and healthcare issues. Free condoms and condom demonstration were also available to students.

The club has a table in the SURC every Tuesday and Thursday handing out condoms and informational pamphlets.

They answer any questions students have about what reproductive healthcare is available within the community, STIs and safe sex.

“I joined VOX because it’s a great organization that educates and promotes responsible decisions,” said Rebecca Ikeda-Chandler, VOX treasurer. “We have events throughout the year and I really encourage students to check them out because they will learn a lot and have fun at the same time.”

Next quarter, the club intends to hold a Condom Carnival event, designed to raise student awareness of the appropriate use of contraceptives through fun and interactive games.

13

Everyone has their own story to tell from their prom night, the biggest formal dance of the year for every junior and senior, and still hold onto the memories even the dress.

For the third year in a row, Central’s Student Fashion Association (SFA) is taking part in the Fairy Godmother Project.

This project provides gently used donated prom dresses, accessories and shoes for local high school girls who may not be able to afford them. SFA is trying to reach out to the community and local high schools all the way to West Valley and Yakima high schools.

SFA produces the project to help those who may not be able to afford the average $200 brand new prom dress. The Fairy Godmother Project can also provide more choices for accessories and dresses since there is a lack of dress stores in Ellensburg.

“We just love to give back to the community and this is one of the ways we can do something to help,” said SFA Senator Dominique Green. “I am looking forward to seeing how many dresses we sell this year; as well as to see all those happy girls when they leave with a dress for prom that they will love.”

Tabling in the SURC is already taking place for students to drop off prom items or sign up to help during the event.

Danielle Brunner, a first year member, junior fashion merchandise major, has enjoyed “seeing the response we’ve gotten from students and the community, as it is a great way to give back. I personally enjoyed picking out my dress for prom so helping girls receive theirs will be an exciting moment.”

In reality, when will most of us ladies be able to wear that dress again? So dig up that once only worn dress and donate it to make a girls dream come true and feel just as special as you did. The Fairy Godmother Project will take place in SURC 137 this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CAITLIN CROMPE

CINDERELLA SFA’s annual Fairy Godmother Project table- Caitlin Witham, senior, Fashion Merchandising major and Dominque Green, junior, Fashion Merchandising major explain to ongoer about the project.

SCENE

14 THE OBSERVER • MARCH 10 - 16, 2011

Behind the make-up and fake boobs Showtime at the McConnell winner Kisses Montclaire tells all

BY KELSEE DODSON - CARTER

Staff Reporter

JESSICA MASSART

KISSES At Showtime at the McConnell Kisses Montclaire won the contest with the most cheers and applause from the crowd.

Kisses Montclaire hit the stage two weeks ago for Showtime at the McConnell. She dropped it low, popped it high and shook it fast for the crowd. Before she could even start performing, random booing was heard in the crowd but that was quickly challenged by screams and clapping of encouragement.

“I was nervous but there was such an uproar of cheering that I knew I could get through the performance,” Montclaire said.

The audience’s excitement fueled Montclaire’s energy on stage. When she heard all of the support she said her adrenaline started pumping beyond belief.

“It got everyone out of their seat and woke them up,” said Kierra Corbin, freshman sociology major.

Montclaire started doing drag four years ago.

It “gives me a chance to step out of my own life and be a different character fully and whole heartedly,” she said.

When preparing for a performance Montclaire chooses a song and listens to it over and over again until she gets all the lyrics down.

“All of the songs I choose I truly love,” she said.

Montclaire bases her character off of the music video for the song. She watches the music video and incorporates the

dance moves into her performance. For Montclaire, performing is an outlet to the stress in her life.

“I feel very attractive and kinda like a sex symbol,” she said. “I’m the center of attention.”

At Showtime at the McConnell, Montclaire wanted to choose an urban song, something that would appeal to the audience. She decided to perform “Drop It Low” by Ester Dean.

If you think looking good comes easy for Montclaire, you are wrong. It takes her two hours to get stage ready. There are many parts to Montclaire’s look. There is the outfit, shoes, spanks, makeup, hair, tights and boobs.

She usually wears two pairs of tights just to cover up her hairy legs.

“I don’t like shaving my legs,” she said.

“It’s too much of a hassle.”

To create boobs, Montclaire uses birdseed or sand. She wears two or three bras to help create natural cleavage and then uses eye shadow or blush to accent her cleavage.

Montclaire said that her stage name emphasises her French-Canadian heritage. She likes her name Kisses Montclaire because it is flirty and fun. Montclaire was the street name that she grew up on as a kid. At the end of every performance she blows a kiss to the audience.

“It’s my trademark,” she said.

Tina Sparkle, another drag queen on campus, has inspired Montclaire in many

ways.

“She has paved the way for myself,” Montclaire said. “But also for anyone who doesn’t fit the societal norm.”

Behind the makeup and fake boobs, Kisses Montclaire is actually Marq Kernell, freshman communication studies major. He is the oldest of six siblings and grew up in Vancouver, Wash. He was crowned Homecoming King in high school. Kernell said he went through a lot of struggles with his sexuality and at times was teased because of it. However, at his high school it was accepted and he knew that his sexuality wouldn’t hinder his life or the success that he could achieve.

When crowned Homecoming King, Kernell was very proud that he was chosen.

“I was more proud of my senior class for voting me,” he said.

When Kernell won the $500 prize at Showtime at the McConnell he was completely shocked and speechless.

“I definitely wanted to win but I had no idea that I would,” he said.

Kernell is happy that he won, but more so because of the associated symbolism.

It “shows that we are moving toward a more acceptable culture as a whole,” he said.

Kernell wants the people who might be struggling with coming out to not be afraid.

“Don’t be afraid of what could happen but be afraid of the freedom that you’re missing out on,” he said.

SPORTS Sports Editor

Kevin Proctor cwuobserversports@gmail.com

THE OBSERVER • MAR. 10 - 16, 2011

15

Tournament Champs!

Wildcats win inaugural GNAC Tournament, host West Regionals

NCAA Division II West Regional Tournament Quarterfinals: Friday, Mar. 11 - 8 PM Ellensburg, WA Nicholson Pavilion

BY BRYCE HJALSETH

All CWU students FREE admission

Sports Reporter

Central 83 -- Anchorage 71 The Central Washington men’s basketball team accomplished one of their goals they had since the beginning of the season: bringing home the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament plaque and advance to the NCAA Division II West Regional Tournament.

The Wildcats faced off against the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in front of an electrified crowd of over 2500 people during the GNAC finals last Friday. Central beat UAA with a final score of 83-71.

“It’s unbelievable,” said head coach Greg Sparling. “You watch these guys grow each night and how they got each other’s back. They care for each other off the floor and it carries onto the floor.”

Central started the game somewhat out of sync, going on hot and cold streaks for the majority of the first half. The first half saw three ties and six lead changes.

The Wildcats found themselves down 26-18 near the mid-point of the half, but stepped up their game from that point on, going on a 9-0 run, gaining the lead.

Despite Central being outshot in field goal percentages in the first half, they still entered halftime with a 40-33 lead.

“Our zone defense caught them a little off tilt,” Sparling said.

UAA cut the margin to three points just five minutes into the second half, but the Wildcats snapped back into scoring mode and went on a 9-2 run. Central maintained a double digit lead for the majority of the second half.

The Wildcats’ defense came up big on the night, as they were able to come away with 13 steals and force UAA to 18 turnovers.

The defense also held first team allconference UAA junior center Taylor Rohde to a season low 4 points. Rohde averaged 16.8 points during the regular season.

“Our defense in the second half is what really cracked it open,” Sparling said. “We went man to man and turned

JOEY LEBEAU

CHAMPS Senior guard Chris Scott celebrates after Central defeated Alaska Anchorage Friday 83-71.

up the heat. We knew that they had to fly came in the first half alone.

“We were just getting up and down, down here and that they had two tough games up there. We have more depth we wanted to play a fast pace game. We knew that they were going to try to slow and we used it.”

Senior forward Jamar Berry led the the game up,” Sprinker said. “We just Wildcats in scoring, knocking down 25 got to make sure we can carry over from this and work on what points with seven rebounds.

We are not go- we got to work on and some more games.”

“I worked hard for ing let anybody cut winAlso scoring double this; it feels good, real our net down. This is digit figures was senior good,” Berry said.

“This is how I want our house, this is my guard Chris Scott with points and senior to go out, I came house and I wasn’t 16 guard Humberto Perez, from a lot of bad to going to allow that. I who stepped up big in a lot of good. I love got my MVP because the second half scoring this. They make me 10 points. feel like a star.” of my teammates.

“It’s amazing, there Preceding the is no other feeling like game, Berry was JAMAR BERRY this,” Scott said. “I have awarded the most Senior Forward never won a conference valuable player award for the GNAC tournament. Berry championship before, the closest I ever averaged 21.7 points with 6.7 rebounds got was in middle school and we lost in the championship.” throughout the three games.

The Wildcats entered and left the “We stuck together,” Berry said. “We are not going to let anybody cut our net GANC tournament in a dominant fashdown, this is our house, this is my house, ion, winning all three games with double and I wasn’t going to allow that. I got my digit victories over their opponents.

The Tournament began with the MVP because of my teammates.”

Senior center Chris Sprinker scored Wildcats making their presence known, 19 points on the night, 15 of those points beating Montana State Billings by 20

points in the quarterfinals.

From there, Northwest Nazarene came to town to try to cool down the Wildcats hot streak, but found themselves behind 18 points when the final bell rang, propelling the Wildcats into the GNAC finals.

This marks the first conference basketball title for the Wildcats since the 1999-2000 season.

“We have another goal which is the National Championship and we plan on getting that one too,” Scott said.

Central is ranked 10th in the nation and first in the West regional rankings with an overall record of 26-3.

“This is a lifetime experience,” Perez said. “It’s a long season and we are just trying to keep it going.”

Central will now host the West Regional Tournament for the second time in school history, consisting of three games in four days. The tournament begins with the quarterfinals taking place at Nicholson Pavilion this Friday March 11th against Seattle Pacific University (SPU).

SPU is coming into the tournament seeded eighth and has an overall record of 23-9. The Falcons are coming off a 67-72 loss to Alaska Anchorage in the semifinals of the GNAC tournament.

The Wildcats faced off against Seattle Pacific University twice in the regular season, beating them both times.

The winner of this game will move on to the NCAA Division II Tournament’s second round to play either Dixie State University or Chaminade University.

The game will tip off the following night on Saturday, March 12th. Because they won the GNAC Tournament, all games in West Regional will be played at home for the Wildcats in Nicholson Pavilion. All Central games are free admission to every CWU student.

“

“

JEFF BAYLEY

EYES ON THE PRIZE Senior forward Jamar Berry prepares to leap towards the basket against Alaska Anchorage.

JEFF BAYLEY

TIP JAM Senior center Chris Sprinker goes for a tip in against Anchorage. Central beat the Seawolves 83-71 on Friday.

16

SPORTS

THE OBSERVER • MAR. 10 - 16, 2011

Coach of the Year

Men’s basketball coach Greg Sparling guides Central to historic season

Sparling’s 16th season as head coach, his family continues to love the Ellensburg lifestyle.

“We love the small town,” Sparling said. “That’s why we haven’t left. We just love the community, the area, they have a lot of friends, and my family is close here too.”

Sparling has made many lasting reBY DANNY SCHMIDT lationships with his players throughSports Reporter out his 16 years. Last season’s starting point guard, Jon Clift, is one of those We all know the coaching style of players. This season, Sparling added men’s basketball head coach Greg Clift to the coaching staff.

Sparling. Pacing back and forth, yell“You can tell he’s a family guy first,” ing at his players to get back on de- Clift said. “Over the years we got pretfense and even an occasional disagree- ty close. He actually approached me ment or two with a referee. But what and asked if I’ve ever thought about we don’t see is his other, non-coaching coaching. I just wasn’t ready to go sit side. in a cubicle yet. I’m really grateful he Sparling grew up in Seattle, and gave me the opportunity.” moved to Kirkland in the second Sparling likes to get the team tograde. He played basketball at Juanita gether off the court, to build up team High School and was good enough to chemistry, and he also provides some play at Highline Community College edible incentives to his players for dofrom 1987-1989. ing well on the court.

After Sparling received his Associ“Every seven games that we win, ates of Arts degree from Highline, we have a team dinner at his house,” basketball was not his first priority. senior guard Chris Scott said. “We’ve “I sat out a year in between junior won 25 games so that’s three steak college and Central and became a dinners.” furniture delivery guy,” Sparling said.

Scott is another player who has “Making my whopping $7.50 an hour, developed a great relationship with I thought I was going to get rich at Sparling. It was Sparling who gave that, and realized at the end of the Scott the opportunity to play, when day, I wasn’t going to make it there.” many other coaches would not. Scott’s Sparling’s coach at Juanita was Gil relationship with Sparling goes beColeman. Coleman was a huge influ- yond the court. ence in Sparling’s life. In addition to “Everyone was pretty skeptical coaching at Juanita, about taking me he also coached at You can tell he’s a because of my Central. Coleman is Scott said. family guy first. Over height,” the late father of cur“But Coach Spar the years we got pret- was knocking on my rent Wildcat’s assistant coach, G.E. Coleman. ty close...I’m really door and was interDuring Sparling’s brief grateful he gave me ested in having me. furniture stint, Coleturned me into the opportunity [to He’s man told Sparling to a better basketball help coach this year player.” get in shape and go to Central to play.

Sparling has at Central.]

Sparling took Coleworked his way to man’s advice and went Central’s -Former point guard Jon become back to Central. It was t h i r d w i n ningest Clift about Coach Sparling former coach Dean men’s basketball Nicholson who gave coach in school hisSparling the opportunity to play for tory, but it is clear his family comes the Wildcats. To this day, Sparling first. He owes much of his success to is extremely thankful that Nichol- his mentor and predecessor, Gil Coleson took Coleman’s recommenda- man. tion and gave him the chance to play.

After the regular season, SparIn his 1989-90 season with Central, ling was named GNAC co-coach of Sparling was fortunate enough to the year, sharing the hardware with reach the elite eight in the national Northwest Nazarene’s Tim Hills. Hills tournament. just completed his final season, markIn March of 1995, Gil Coleman ing an end to his 31-year career. died at age 38. Coleman was the WildWith everything that Sparling has cat’s coach at the time. The death was done for Central basketball, and the a devastating blow to Sparling. Due to community in Ellensburg, it is difficult the passing of Coleman, Sparling took to find any serious complaints. over as interim head coach at Central.

“We always give him a hard time Coleman died right before Central’s about how cheap he is when it comes game against Lewis and Clark to go to to gear,” Scott joked. “But we’re very the national tournament. thankful about all the stuff that we “His family requested that we play get. He takes it well, he knows we love the game,” Sparling said. “I was stay- him.” ing at Gil’s house with G.E. and the This past Friday, Central took night we had to drive over and say home their first ever GNAC confergoodbye was probably, if not, the ence championship. It is the first time toughest day of my life.”

Central has won the conference since After that season, Sparling was 1999-2000, when it was the PacWest named permanent head coach.

West Division. With the number 1 When Sparling attended Central, ranking in the west regional poll, he met his future wife, Kristin. Their Central looks to host the West Refirst date was after a basketball game gionals. Coach Sparling believes that and took place at what is now Grant’s with their stifling defense, Central has Pizza. Together they have two sons what it takes to make a deep run in the who can be seen at just about every NCAA tournament.

Central basketball game. The oldRegardless of the outcome, Central est son Coleman, 13, is named after has enjoyed a historic season in 2011.

Sparling’s former coach, and G.E.’s Just another successful season that father, Gil. Coleman. The couple’s head coach Greg Sparling has orchesyoungest son, Jacob, is 11 years old. In trated for the Wildcats.

COACH OF THE YEAR Central’s head basketball coach Greg Sparling earned GNAC coach of the year in his 16th season as coach of the Wildcats. Sparling is the third winningest coach in school history with 230 wins.

“

2011 NCAA DIVISION II MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Friday, Mar. 11 (Regional Quarterfinals) SESSION 1 #6 Alaska Anchorage vs. #3 HSU, Noon #7 BYU-Hawai’i vs. #2 CSDH, 2:30 p.m.

SESSION 2 #5 Chaminade vs. #4 Dixie State, 5:30 p.m. #8 Seattle Pacific vs. #1 CWU, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 12 (Regional Semifinals) SESSION 3 UAA or HSU vs. BYUH or CSUDH, 5 p.m.

CUH or DSC vs. SPU or CWU, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Mar. 14 (Regional Championship) SESSION 4 Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.

More information at www.wildcatsports.com

FREE tickets to CWU students for all CWU games! Pick up your ticket at the Wildcat Shop!

NCAA.com/tickets

NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

“

JEFF BAYLEY

SPORTS

THE OBSERVER • MAR. 10 - 16, 2011

17

Clark vaults her way to nationals

BY CAMBREE BENETUA

Sr. Sports Reporter

KATHARINE LOTZE

OVER THE TOP Freshman pole vaulter Becca Clark secured an unexpected win for the Wildcats with a vault of 12 feet, onehalf inch at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference indoor championship meet on February 19-20.

great coaches and really good vaulters, dorms on campus and it’s not a roomso that was the seller.” mate that leaves a mess everywhere or Now she’s bonded with the team and hangs a sock on the door. created a family away from home, which “I have a pet snake in my dorm and helps being a freshit’s a big deal and everyHere it’s so friend- one is freaking out about it man.

“At my high school ly and everyone loves because apparently you’re ,the track team was allowed to have them everyone and every- not really cliquey and if and they’re threatening to one is inviting and kick me out of the dorms,” you weren’t in a certain group you didn’t encouraging, I never Clark said. “His name’s Lotalk to each other,” gan. It’s just a baby maybe really had that Clark said. “Here it’s like a foot long he looks like before. so friendly and everyan oversized worm. I’ve had one loves everyone him since we moved in, but and everyone is invit-BECCA CLARK we snuck his 21 gallon tank ing and encouraging, Freshman Pole Vaulter up to the third floor and I never really had nobody noticed until now. I that before.” live right next to my RA.” Aside from being one of CWU’s top All snakes aside, if Clark takes care of vaulters, Clark is just a normal freshman that slithery problem she’s got three years getting used to being away from home ahead of her to accomplish academic and enjoying college life. and athletic goals she’s set for herself.

“I love the school and campus and the “My goal now is just to work on my track team is awesome,” Clark said. technique and get better because that’s She has hit one snag living in the what my coach does. He’s all about

“

KATHARINE LOTZE

IT’S A VAULTER THING Clark (left) and teammate Kati Davis (right) pose for their awards photo at the GNAC championship meet. Davis took second to Clark.

“

Freshman Rebecca Clark may not know much when it comes to living the college lifestyle since she’s only been here for two quarters, but she could teach you almost everything that involves vaulting over 12 feet.

In her short time with the track and field team, Clark has already broken the school record and claimed the Great Northwest Athletic Conference indoor title in the women’s pole vault. She heads to nationals this week in Albuquerque, N.M. where she is the 10th seed.

“Breaking a record was really cool but I don’t measure my success on breaking records,” Clark said. “It’s more about performance and learning from what I do each time.”

Clark will be the first Central studentathlete to qualify for the Indoor Track and Field National Championships since 2009.

She started to get involved with track in middle school after a long string of failed tries at other sports.

“I failed at tennis and volleyball and so what was left was track. It was an epic failure in those sports,” Clark said. “Seventh grade year they offered pole vaulting and I thought I’d give it a shot because running was a little redundant, plus I wanted to be all cool and say I pole vault and it ended up going really well. I caught on pretty quickly and I actually broke our middle school record.”

After all her early success, Clark ran into some back problems that prevented her from vaulting until she began high school at Meridian Medical Arts Charter High School in Idaho.

Since her arts high school did not have a track program, she competed with Meridian High School’s track team to keep with her love of vaulting.

“I went to state all four years of high school, I went from getting eighth place to sixth place, to fourth place and first place my senior year,” Clark said. “Probably because all the good people had left.”

In her search for a college to attend, after her all her success with pole vaulting in high school, her first priority wasn’t who had the best track program but what fit with her future career goals.

“I went through looking at all the schools that had really good paramedic programs, when I looked here they had one of the top programs,” Clark said.

“Then I looked at their track programs because wherever I went they had to have one and it ended up Central had

technique and getting it down,” Clark said.

However, when it comes to her paramedic career things are not going as planned.

“I’ve hit a few road blocks with the paramedic program, so I’m having to make that more of my backup plan and redirect what I came here to do,” Clark said. “So now I’m doing physical education and a minor in coaching.”

After this year she has some advice as a freshman to other incoming student athletes.

“Don’t overload yourself with homework and classes, take your classes before practice so you have enough time for everything and most of all don’t stress,” Clark said.

With her athletics and academics, Clark has balanced her first year here nicely and is on the right track to having a great three years ahead of her. Breaking school records and going to nationals are just the first we’ve seen of her, everyone better watch out.

18

SPORTS

THE OBSERVER • MAR. 10 - 16, 2011

Softball sweeps conference foe Baseball

Wildcats earn two key, earlyseason victories against MSUB

BY ADRIANA ZAZULA

Sports Reporter

Central’s softball team was in need of a place to play due to the mess left behind by the downpour of snow last week. The team ended up at Carlon Park in Selah where they took on Montana State University Billings in a doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday.

The first game ended in a loss, but this did not discourage the Wildcats from making a comeback in the second game.

The rally for redemption began in the fourth inning and continued strongly in the innings that followed. According to a press release, senior shortstop Samantha Petrich was hit by a pitch and then scored on a calculated double-steal play on which junior pinch runner Devin Larson was put out in a rundown between first and second base.

Also in the fifth inning, back-to-back one-out singles by junior utility player

Kristina Sheriff and senior second baseman Keilani Cruz gave the team two baserunners. Junior first baseman Michelle Torre came through with an RBI, single in her first time at-bat of the season to make it a 3-2 contest.

The sixth inning started with Petrich’s second walk of game two, and she scored the game-tying run when junior third baseman Liz Jusko reached on a one-out throwing error. She then plated the run that won the game with nobody out at the end of the seventh inning in her only official at-bat of the weekend.

The final triumph of the game came when freshman outfielder Jordan Zurfluh hit a bunt single and advanced to second base on a throwing error. Junior first baseman Natasha Wood followed with a bunt single to put runners on the corner bases. Petrich then smashed the ball towards the fence to score Zurfluh in with the winning point for Saturday’s game. #20 Jordan “We knew these Zurfluh were big games that we needed to win coming into the weekend and we started out with a close loss on Saturday,” Zurfluh said.

On Sunday the Wildcats were ready to capture two more wins against Montana State University Billings with scores of 8-0 and 9-6.

Sophomore infielder Carrina Wagner was a power force, hitting home runs each in game. Wagner hit a three-run home run in her second at-bat of the opening game and then showed her might and secured the team a two-run blast in the sixth inning of the second game. Wagner undoubtedly helped to lead Central to the doubleheader sweep.

Senior starting pitcher Lauren Hadenfeld struck out seven players and tossed an impressive three-hit, five-inning shutout.

With Sunday’s wins added to the win from Saturday, the Central softball team took the four-game series, three games to one. CWU is now 5-4 overall and 3-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).

“It’s definitely nice to get some wins under our belt and start off the season by winning the first series. We were predicted to be GNAC champs again so we have a big target on our back and a lot of expectations to live up to from last season,” Zurfluh said. “I think this weekend gave us the confidence we needed to start off on the right note.

Now we just need to be consistent and keep the momentum going.”

JEFF BAYLEY

CONFERENCE SWEEP Senior Keilani Cruz connects on a ball in the five-run fifth inning of Central’s game one win against MSU Billings in Sunday’s double header. The hit aided in an 8-0 shutout marking Central’s first mercy-run rule victory of the season.

Rock climbers take it outside

BY MACKENZIE NICHOLS

Sports Reporter

March has started off in an array of confusing weather patterns. With days beginning with snow and ending with sunshine, outdoor enthusiasts are looking for opportune moments to take their sports outside. Many climbers in the gym are working on their technique and strength to help them with outdoor climbing. However, the sunshine after snowstorms creates a wet climbing environment that can be detrimental to most climbers.

“As long as I can stay warm, I’m happy. Unfortunately, the rock can be wet, which makes for poor holds outside,” said Brenden Henesey, who’s bouldered in Leavenworth and rope climbed in Vantage. “Most of my climbing has been indoor, but the times I’ve been outside, it hasn’t been bad. You just look for dry rock.”

Climbers rely heavily on the friction of rock and the strength of their hands to complete a route. Usually cold weather and snow don’t limit when a climber can go out. In fact, temperatures in the 40s are prime for climb-

ers, since the cold weather prevents the holds from greasing, which frequently happens in hot temperatures, and it also increases friction between the climber’s hands and the rock. Chalk is used to prevent the hands from sweating to the point of being too slick to climb on.

Snow can also provide a soft landing when bouldering, added coverage to areas that climbers don’t have enough crash pads for.

However having it snow, then having bright sun-filled days creates a problem. When rock gets wet, climbers have

trouble holding onto the rock, therefore making climbing very difficult.

“The snow has definitely kept me indoors a lot more than I would like,” said junior french language major Colin Snow. He agrees that the cold isn’t what keeps him off the rock. “The cold temperatures are not quite what effect me.

I think what effects me more is the snow, especially when it melts,” Snow said.

For Central climbers, spring can’t come soon enough.

“Once the snow melts, I’m gonna hit Leavenworth like a brick…or a rock,” Snow said.

drops four straight on road trip

- COURTESY OF SAMMY HENDERSON

Athletic Media Relations Assistant

Junior Brady Kincannon totaled six hits in two games for the Central Washington University baseball team on Sunday, but the Wildcats fell to Western Oregon University by scores of 7-6 and 4-1.

Central, which has now lost 15 straight games in the head-to-head series with Western Oregon, fell to 4-8 overall and 0-4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. WOU improved to 10-6 and 4-0 in the GNAC. Kincannon, who previously spent time in the Western Oregon program before coming to CWU this past fall, was 4 for 5 in Sunday’s opener with two runs batted in.

He then went 2 for 2 in the nightcap, and his six hits on #30 Brady the day accounted Kincannon for one-third of the Wildcats’ offensive production in the twinbill.

Central scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning of game one to take a 3-1 advantage. Three of the four Wildcat hits in the inning came with two outs, capped by back-to-back run-scoring doubles by Kincannon and sophomore David Leid.

The Wildcats then followed with one more run in the seventh inning on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by junior Derrick Webb, scoring junior Brett Bielec to give CWU a 4-1 lead.

The Western Oregon bats came alive in the bottom of the eighth inning, when they scored six runs on five hits to take a 7-4 lead into the ninth.

The Wildcats’ efforts of a ninthinning comeback fell short despite an RBI fielder’s choice by junior Glen Reser and a RBI single by Kincannon.

Senior Jake Millbauer had a solid pitching outing for the Wildcats, throwing 7 1/3 innings and scattering 10 hits and four runs while striking out two.

Western Oregon’s Aaron Headrick and Eric Copenhagen had three and two hits, respectively, each totaled three RBI in the contest.

In game two, Central Washington scored first on a RBI single by junior Scott Cooper in the second inning, when the Wildcats had four hits but stranded two base runners.

Western Oregon scored two runs each in the second and sixth innings to give them the final 4-1 advantage in game two.

Both starting pitchers went the distance in the seven inning nightcap, with CWU junior Ryan Hastings striking out four batters, while giving up four runs of which just two were earned. WOU starter Cam Nobles surrendered just six hits, walking three batters and fanning five.

Central Washington will next host a pair of doubleheaders against Northwest Nazarene next weekend. The twinbills on Friday (Mar. 11) and Saturday (Mar. 12) are both slated for noon starts.

S

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ART is the Gold Standard for treating these types of injuries and for the next two weeks Dr. Bridgeman will be offering a “Soft Tissue” Special for only $45. The special will include an evaluation and ART treatment which would normally cost $135-$195.

Sincerely,

Dr. David B. Bridgeman

“

Football is a game of soft tissue injuries. Without the treatment from Dr. Bridgeman, I would have not been able to perform at my full potential throughout the season, which eventually led to all American honors.

Even out of season, making my attempt to play in the NFL, he has helped me elavate my training to the highest level!

”

Thanks Dr. Bridgeman!

— Adam Bighill # 44 CWU Football Formerly #41

D.C., CCEP Certified Decompression Specialist Certified Laser Specialist Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner Certified ART Provider Dr. Bridgeman is the only ART Provider in Kititas County and 1 of 7 Doctors in the State of WA who has achieved Masters Certification in ART

Dr. Bridgeman’s clinic is located at 2211 West Dolarway Road (across from Luft’s Trailer Sales)

www.925Pain.com

Call Today! 509-925-PAIN (7246)